A/N: Ah, chapter 2.

No One Is To Blame

"No One Is To Blame" by Howard Jones

Chapter 2: Commit the Sin

May 14th, 2001

Mic saw the kiss…

Harm gaped at Mac. "What?"

"He saw us kiss, Harm. On the admiral's porch."

"But he—he didn't say anything."

Mac gave a humorless chuckle. "Oh, yes, he did, Harm. Just not to you."

Harm swiped his hand over his face, then leaned over and put his hand over hers.

"Tell me."

May 5th, 2001

Finally, Mac thought as Tiner ducked back inside the house, leaving her and Harm alone once more. Harm gave an exasperated chuckle and she smiled back, his expression softening as he met her gaze. He told her they should go in and she agreed, but neither of them moved. Mac's heart and stomach began to flutter, her world narrowing until the Admiral's house, her fiancé, Harm's girlfriend, and even the porch beneath their feet disappeared.

"Mac, you have someone who will always love you."

She felt warm all over, and in that moment, she knew he wasn't talking about Mic, just like her next words had nothing to do with René.

"And you have somebody that loves you."

Alone in their little bubble, Mac leaned forward and raised her lips to Harm's. She told herself it was just a kiss goodbye, a kiss to acknowledge their years of friendship, but she knew deep down that was the last thing it was. When Harm's lips followed hers as she drew away, when his hand reached out and yanked her to him, she knew none of this was about friendship.

It was about love, it was about passion, and it was over far too soon.

She knew she would never forget the moment his open mouth captured hers, how she invited his tongue in when it caressed her upper lip. His work-roughened hand was hot on her skin as it traveled the length of her back, and she felt her core clench with desire, her center running wet just as she felt a growing hardness against her belly.

And then, just like that, the moment was gone. They broke apart, Harm looking down at her with hooded eyes while she stared up at him in shock. She knew if she opened her mouth now to speak, she would tell him to carry her away from here, away from her obligations and doubts, and so, she didn't. She couldn't do that to Mic. She slowly slid his jacket off her shoulders, still tasting him on her lips, and stepped behind him. Before she went inside, she reached out and rested her hand on his shoulder.

"We're getting too good at saying goodbye," she whispered as he covered her hand with his. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, and then she drew them away, her heart constricting in her chest.

Thirty-three seconds later, she was at Mic's side. He wrapped his arm around her and dropped a kiss on her shoulder, and she almost told him right then and there what had happened. She wanted to ask him to let her go, to tell him she wasn't worthy of his love, but images of Mic and Harm pummeling each other to death filled her mind and she couldn't. Harm stepped up next to her a moment later, René with him, and as they all stood there together and watched Harriet receive her Lieutenant's bars, Mac felt the back of Harm's hand brush against hers. She almost reached out and grasped his fingers, but Instead, she stared straight ahead, wanting desperately to run away into the dark so she wouldn't have to face the man she had just kissed, the man who wasn't her fiancé.

There was a cake made in Mac and Mic's honor, and once it was served, Mac and her fiancé mingled with the other guests. Harm and René left shortly after, Harm with a last glance toward her, René looking anything but happy. Bud and Harriet remained, along with Alan Mattoni and his wife, Loren Singer, and Tiner. Gunny had left with his date a few minutes after Harm and René, both of them with anticipation written all over their faces. Mac did her best to be the doting fiancée, while Mic, looking happy, laughed and joked with his best man, Bud. Mac chatted with Harriet, who would be her matron of honor, but there was something in the younger woman's expression that made her uncomfortable. Harriet's gaze was speculative at first, then concerned, but each time it looked as though she was going to say something to Mac, Mac turned away and spoke to anyone but the newly promoted officer. She wouldn't be able to handle it if Harriet asked about Harm, nor did she want her friend to notice her trembling hands and bounding pulse. Mic would periodically return to his bride's side and run his fingers up and down her bare arm, and Mac had to fight the urge to brush his hand away. She wondered if he could smell Harm's scent on her, and then she wondered if René was smelling her on Harm.

Finally, Mac needed a break. Though she didn't actually have to use the bathroom, she disappeared into the one off the admiral's kitchen. She ran cool water over her hands and then patted her face, taking several deep breaths before she exited. Mic would no doubt go looking for her if she spent any more time hiding away, so she'd best get back to the party.

It turned out, however, that Mic had already gone on the hunt.

"Sarah?"

Mac jumped and turned around, her hand covering her galloping heart. "Mic! You startled me!"

"I see that." The two of them eyed each other as Mac worked to calm herself. She couldn't read Mic's expression for the longest time, but then it relaxed and he smiled. "You're so beautiful, Sarah."

Mac smiled back. "You have to say that since you're my fiancé."

Mic chuckled. "That doesn't make you any less beautiful. In fact, you're so beautiful, maybe we should step outside for a moment." He motioned toward the admiral's back door, where Mac knew the admiral had a smaller porch.

"Lead the way, Mic." She told herself she needed to act normally, even as she wondered if Mic would be able to taste another man on her lips.

Mic rested his hand on her back and ushered her ahead of him. They stepped out onto the wooden porch, Mic reaching for her hand after closing the door. He led her to the railing, and for a moment the two just stared up at the night sky.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," replied Mac but then she shivered. It was a beautiful night, but it was a cool one, and she doubted Mic would offer her his jacket as Harm had.

"Nothing like a kiss under the moonlight," Mic continued, running the back of his fingers up her arm before turning her around to face him. Mac gave him a soft smile and though Mic wasn't the best kisser, he was the man she was going to marry. Perhaps this romantic setting under the stars would help her forget Harm's body pressed against hers.

"No, there isn't," she agreed, her lips turning up into a gentle smile of anticipation. He stepped closer and she leaned back against the smooth wood of the railing, Mic's hands moving to rest on either side of her. His arms entrapped her between them, and then his body was flush with hers. She tried to raise her arms to wrap them around his neck, but he was too close, his eyes dark with desire proven by his rising erection. She hummed with pleasure as was expected of her as his lips brushed over hers once, twice, three times. One hand then moved to grasp her hip and he ground into her, moaning at the contact, and then he finally rested his lips on her waiting mouth.

"Oh, Sarah," Mic breathed into her. "Just how long have you been fucking him behind my back?"

End Chapter 2